Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
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Happy 4th of July weekend!
Scheduling note: I’m taking some time off over the holiday weekend, so there will be no newsletter on Monday, July 6. We’ll resume on Thursday.
Also — I’ve been slacking on promoting the Tri-Cities Central referral program lately, so I figured I’d provide a refresher on how you can get rewards for sharing this newsletter.
How it works: If you copy and paste the “share this link” URL at the top of this newsletter or the link in the graphic below, send it to friends/neighbors, and they sign up for Tri-Cities Central — you can get rewarded with gift cards to local restaurants.
And for a limited time this summer, we’re boosting the gift card amounts. Here are the new rewards:
Local Restaurant Guide for 2 new subscribers referred
$10 gift card for 5 new subscribers referred
$20 gift card for 10 new subscribers referred
Many readers already have 2-4 referrals, so it’ll just take a couple more for that $10 gift card.
A huge thank you to everyone who has shared Tri-Cities Central in the past; it is immensely appreciated and helps us keep more folks in the community informed.
📮 Need to contact me with questions, tips or suggestions? Get in touch here.
LEAD STORY
Explore these 30+ historic local sites
Bellevue Place in Batavia
In the six decades since the federal government created the National Register of Historic Places, thousands of historic places across Illinois have been deemed worthy of the designation.
That includes more than 30 places across the Tri-Cities area.
Given that the 4th of July is all about celebrating a moment of historical significance, it seemed like a timely opportunity to highlight many of the historically significant places in our backyard.
From grain elevators and railroad depots to 100-year-old churches, schools, and family farmsteads, these historic sites trace the Tri-Cities area back to its earliest settlers.
SPONSORED CONTENT
💬 Faith, the suburbs, and AI: where do we go from here?
Thrive Together is St. Mark's Episcopal Church's speaker series for wrestling with important questions, and this fall’s topics couldn’t be more timely. All are welcome to attend.
September 19: Sociologist Brian Miller of Wheaton College will break down what makes Christian outreach tricky in the Fox Valley and explore some of the untapped benefits sitting in front of us. Learn more + register.
November 14: Consulting CEO David Kim will take on faith in the age of AI (the topic of a book he’s writing). Not the hype, not the doom — but a clear-eyed look at what it means for how we live and work. Learn more + register.
Both interactive Saturday sessions run 9AM to noon, and you don’t need to be a church member to attend. Come be a part of the conversation.
Below are the most clicked stories from our last newsletter issue.
☑️ State of the Tri-Cities: New demographic data paints a picture of the Tri-Cities using real numbers, showing that our communities are prosperous, aging, becoming more diverse, and shifting to remote work. See all the details.
☑️ Independence Day happenings: Last chance to check out this list of 4th of July fireworks shows and other events happening in the Tri-Cities area ahead of the holiday weekend (now including more Kane County events).
The Swedish Days Parade on Sunday. 📸 Credit: Geneva Chamber of Commerce
☑️ Protest boundaries: Kane County's chief judge has restricted courthouse protests to specific zones after weeks of unrest tied to federal immigration arrests near the St. Charles complex.
☑️ Burger joint leaving: Wahlburgers abruptly closed its St. Charles location effective immediately on June 29 after six years on Randall Road, citing a lease expiration — though they said a new location is on the way.
☑️ Tradition continues: Geneva's 76th Swedish Days Parade rolled through downtown on Sunday after a coalition of local business sponsors united to help fund and organize the popular tradition (which almost didn't happen at all).
☑️ Changing laws: Several new Illinois laws took effect July 1, including a permanent cocktails-to-go option for bars and restaurants, updated driver's license renewal rules for seniors, and a law addressing cyberbullying tied to AI content in schools.
☑️ Plan ahead: Both Batavia and St. Charles shared traffic and road closure updates ahead of their 4th of July fireworks events.
☑️ News notes:
Batavia released its 2025 Annual Water Quality Report with new information about the city’s drinking water.
The second and third floors of the Commuter Parking Deck in downtown Geneva will be partially closed for maintenance for three weeks beginning Monday (7/6).
The Space Shop Self Storage climate-controlled storage facility is now open at 2345 Mill St. in Batavia behind the Tesla dealership.
SPONSORED CONTENT
The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.
☑️ Throwback festival vibes: Downtown Batavia is reviving its Boo Boo Days tradition July 10-12, bringing back 1950s-style storefront ads, retro cocktail specials, and sidewalk bargains as part of Windmill City Festival weekend.
☑️ Paddling adventures: If you've been meaning to get out on the water this summer, a new guide rounds up 17 of the best kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding spots in the Chicago area — including several near or along the Fox River.
☑️ Community champs: St. Charles honored three Ward 4 residents with Spirit of St. Charles awards, recognizing Jim Di Ciaula for his community service work, the Arcada Theatre for its role supporting local nonprofits, and an East High senior for academics, sports, and volunteer work.
☑️ Taste of summer: The St. Charles Arts Council opens its new "Taste of Summer" exhibit at the ARC Gallery downtown on July 8, which will run through August 30 with an awards reception on July 16.
☑️ Driving literary access: The Geneva Public Library earned two national honors at a major industry conference, taking home the top prize in library PR for its funding campaign to connect more residents with valuable library resources.
☑️ End-of-summer community ride: Cyclists can choose from three scenic Fox River routes at the Hope Echoes on the River bike ride in August, with proceeds benefiting CASA Kane County's foster care advocacy program.
✳️ A rejuvenating retreat: The two-acre, wooded Healing Gardens off Dean Street in St. Charles will be open to the public July 12, with yoga in the gardens and a chance to pick your own summer bouquet. Learn more and plan your visit.
Nothing like some celebratory live music over a holiday weekend, which includes performances at the Riverside Block Party outside of The Graceful Ordinary in downtown St. Charles on the 4th of July.
SPONSORED CONTENT
✨ There's always a reason to visit The Little Traveler (including an incredible brunch deal for $13)
Sunday brunch at The Little Traveler's Atrium Café has been a Tri-Cities tradition for decades — and for good reason. For just $13, you get a full spread of house-made favorites: fluffy omelets, crispy bacon, Swedish pancakes, Crab Cakes Benedict.
Plus, it’s routinely named Best Brunch in West Suburban Living's Best of the West awards (trust me, it’s well-deserved).
💥 Your guide to summer discovery: Browse the 2026 Summer Almanack for upcoming events and fresh new products — there's always something new to discover beyond the cafe at The Little Traveler.
The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee. The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.
✳️ Kids camp at Zen Loft: A three-day summer movement and mindfulness camp in Batavia (July 7–9) gives kids ages 6–10 a place to build confidence, find calm, and connect with peers through play and creativity. Learn more and sign up before it fills.
☑️ Star Spangled RocknRoll Party | Fri 7/3, 8PM | Sidecar Supper Club, Batavia | Rock and roll celebration with live music and festive fun.
🎟️ Viking Herring Breakfast | Sat 7/4, 7AM | Batavia VFW | Celebrate Batavia's Swedish heritage with a Scandinavian breakfast benefiting local food pantries.
☑️ All American Splash Bash | Sat 7/4, 10AM | Otter Cove Aquatic Park, STC | A patriotic pool party with snacks, themed décor, and firecracker popsicles.
🎟️ 250 Years of America: $2.50 Scoop Celebration | Sat 7/4, 10AM–2PM | Batavia Creamery | Celebrate with $2.50 junior scoops and patriotic fun.
🎟️ Fourth of July/250 Celebration | Sat 7/4, 5PM | Northwestern Medicine Field, Geneva | Independence Day Cougars game with bobbleheads and a post-game fireworks show.
☑️ Throttle & Threads: Red, White & Ride | Sun 7/5, 11AM–4PM | STC Motorcycle Museum | Ride in for bikes, local vendors, and live music this holiday weekend.
☑️ Sunday Sidewalk Sessions | Sun 7/5, 12PM–3PM | Downtown Geneva | Four local musicians perform downtown alongside the French Market and local shops (every Sunday this summer).
🎟️ Beats by the Pool DJ Night | Wed 7/8, 5:30PM | Swanson Pool, STC | Enjoy DJ music during twilight swim hours (also on 7/15 and 7/22).
☑️ Classic Car Show | Thu 7/9, 5-8PM | Downtown Geneva | The popular vintage car show returns to the courthouse on 3rd Street every Thursday through August.
Looking ahead:
🎟️ Tri-Cities Central Dinner Club | Wed 7/22, 6:15PM | Downtown Geneva | Get matched with like-minded locals, enjoy dinner at an amazing restaurant, then meet the full crew at the surprise afterparty nearby.
🎟️ Charity Golf Outing | Mon 8/24, 10AM–4PM | Eagle Brook Country Club, Geneva | The 23rd Annual Golf Outing supports 29 local charities with raffles and giveaways.
What’d you think of this issue?
🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work
😐 Mediocre, could take it or leave it
🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back
Thanks for reading
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*Scroll back to the top of this newsletter for a special referral link — you can get gift cards to local restaurants for referring friends.
